This 4-night guided walking holiday is the perfect way to explore our green and pleasant land, showcasing one of England’s prettiest natural treasures, the Yorkshire Dales National Park. In this exquisite corner of North Yorkshire, we discover a landscape of peaceful winding streams, lush green dales, iconic drystone walls, and picture-postcard villages with their tantalising teashops and traditional pubs. From Turner’s immortal landscapes, to Emmerdale and James Herriot, it’s little wonder people fall in love with it.
Our gorgeous base is Eastfield Lodge in Wensleydale, just off the traditional market square of Leyburn, where your hosts, Henry Collett & Penny Knight, will wrap you up in warm Yorkshire hospitality. Each day, after a fabulous breakfast, Penny provides a guided walk in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. On your return, it’s time to relax over tea and cake, followed perhaps by a quick 40 winks or a pint? Before dinner, Penny hosts a casual Office Hour; over a relaxing drink, she gives a short presentation of the next day’s adventure.
Browse this page for all you need to know about our guided walking holiday in the Yorkshire Dales, and when you’re ready, click Enquire or Book Now, submit some details, and we will help you make this holiday a reality.
Gallery
At a glance
28 April – 02 May 2025
09 – 13 June 2025
23 – 27 June 2025
22 – 26 Sept 2025
All 2025 dates – £685 pp
Single Occupancy – £950
Moderate:
Expect to walk for 4-6 hours each day, with between 160-512m of ascent.
4 nights accommodation – at Eastfield Lodge, Leyburn, including bed & breakfast (4 nights), evening dinner with wine (2 nights, Monday and Wednesday) and buffet style BBQ (Tuesday)
All guided walks – designed to give you the most memorable walks in the area
All Transport to/from trailheads – leave your car at the lodge !
Office Hours – Henry and Penny will provide a daily briefing on the next day’s guided walk Packed lunches – on each of your walk days
This holiday is based in Leyburn, which is easily accessible by car (less than 30 mins drive from the A1). The nearest mainline station is Northallerton. which is 30 mins from Leyburn by taxi.
Dates & Itineraries
Mon
Arrive & Settle inArrive at Eastfield Lodge in the afternoon (from 4pm) for homemade cookies and tea in the lounge. Time to settle in, explore the town or simply meet fellow guests. Join us in the evening for pre-dinner drinks and delicious canapes before a two course dinner to get to know each other better. We’ll brief you on the planned itineraries for the following day and be on hand to answer any questions during the evening.
Tue
Wensleydale and CoverdaleRoute statistics: 7 miles / 11.2 km
This is a local walk reached after a short transfer by minibus to the historic grounds of Jervaulx Abbey dating back to 1156. The ruins are serene and tranquil despite the fact that this walk is often undertaken if the weather is challenging and a low, more sheltered valley walk seems wise. There is little ascent but much to see in Coverdale and Wensleydale along the way. The additional advantage of several places to take cover from the elements means this walk can be ideal as a first day taster of the local area, it’s history, villages and agriculture.
Evening – back at the Lodge in plenty of time for hot showers, tea and cake and tonight’s three course dinner, with wine included, to set you up for the next days walking.
Wed
Wharfedale and LittondaleRoute statistics: 10 miles / 16km
This is a delightful and stunning walk with spectacular views into the u-shaped valley of Wharfedale, meaning winding river. A steady climb following an ancient drovers lane leads to the summit of Old Cote Moor and descends from there into Littondale. The village of Arncliffe, full of character, is often used in the filming of All Creatures Great and Small and also is home to The Falcon Inn, the original Woolpack from Emmerdale. Lunch on the green fuels us up the final hill back into Wharfedale and picturesque Kettlewell before jumping aboard the bus back to Leyburn.
Evening – the drying room at the lodge will provide the ideal place for wet boots to dry ready for the morning. Once walking kit is stowed away, another delicious cake and hot showers are in order before a two course supper is on offer and very much deserved.
Thur
The Swaledale SaunterRoute statistics: 12 miles / 19kms
It is always hoped that conditions will allow for a walk in a different Dale each day and Swaledale cannot be missed. As Wainwright’s favourite, it often leaves guests with unforgettable memories, beautiful photographs and a burning desire to return. We start with a gentle ascent to join the Pennine Way and skirt around Kisdon Hill before dropping down to a cascade of waterfalls on the edge of Keld. Rising again on a more significant climb through the narrow Swinner Gill brings you to the exposed hill top above Gunnerside and finally a dramatic wander down past the remains of the lead mining industry in this area to the village itself. It is always an option to be collected here and cut out the last section of the walk but the return to the start along the river and through the internationally renowned wildflower meadows is breath taking.
Evening – for our last evening, Henry will arrange for you all to dine at a local restaurant in the market town where you can celebrate the week together (pay locally)
Fri
DepartAfter a leisurely breakfast, before your departure is an ideal opportunity to enjoy the local market held every Friday in the Square.
Accommodation
Just 250m from the picturesque market square of Leyburn, Eastfield Lodge is the perfect place to relax after an energetic day in the hills. Each of the 8 en-suite bedrooms is individually furnished with a focus on comfort and a good night’s sleep. The dining room at Eastfield is bright and sunny, with lovely views westwards towards Penhill. Here you can enjoy a hearty breakfast before venturing out. It’s just a few paces across the hall to our cosy sitting room, ideal for relaxing in front of the wood burning stove with a drink and a good book. It’s also the perfect spot for Office Hour and for chatting with guests over post-dinner nightcaps.
The hosts at Eastfield are Henry Collett and Penny Knight. You can rely on them for a warm welcome, a good breakfast each morning, a packed lunch for each of your walking days, and a 3-course dinner with complimentary wine on 2 nights of your stay. You’ll always be greeted with post-walk tea and cake, hot showers, and (when necessary!) a roaring fire and a warm drying room.
Need to Knows
Itinerary: As the weather in the Dales can change suddenly and be extreme, this is only an indicative itinerary, and does not guarantee that a given route will be offered on a particular day, or indeed at all. While we do plan to offer these routes, the exact itinerary is always subject to change depending on the weather and the overall ability of the group.
Terrain: Our routes on this trip vary from well-trodden gravel tracks, rural mud footpaths, grassy fields, and open heather grouse moors to small sections on minor country roads. Some routes include short steep rocky ascents but will not require any scrambling. A reasonable level of fitness and some surefootedness is necessary but all walks are guided, so no navigation experience is needed.
Parking: Eastfield Lodge offers limited parking, and further free spaces are available a short walk away, in the town’s market square. Parking during the week within the National Park is usually £4.50 per day.
ETIAS – The European Travel Information and Authorisation System is not due to be introduced until mid-2025. Currently there is not an exact date as to when it will come into force. This means you do not need to have a ETIAS for travel to Europe at the moment. For more information read our blog article here
Booking Conditions – be sure to read our full terms and conditions here before booking.
At Your Own Risk – please read the important notes here.
Travel Advice – check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice here.
Passport & Visa – any questions should be directed to the relevant embassy of your destination country; find out more here. It is your responsibility to be in possession of a full passport, valid for your chosen destination.
Travel Insurance – having adequate and valid travel insurance is a condition of booking with us. Details of our insurance partner, Campbell Irvine, are here.
Health Information – You should carry either an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) Neither is an alternative to adequate travel insurance. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/
ABTA – Independent travel advice and help is always available from ABTA by calling 020 3117 0599 or visiting www.abta.com.